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Plate of rice and IP Orange Chicken

Instant Pot Orange Chicken

This Instant Pot orange chicken is so tender and flavorful. A delicious meal made quick and easy thanks to electric pressure cooking. If you're looking for a yummy dinner, give this orange chicken recipe a try.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian-inspired
Keyword Instant Pot, Orange Chicken
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Pressurizing/Natural Release Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Author Heather @ thecookstreat.com

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup (4 ounces) honey
  • 4 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (see note)
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, divided (see note)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or ginger paste
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • salt & pepper, to taste
  • green onions, for garnish
  • cooked rice and vegetables, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Place in bottom of electric pressure cooker insert.

  2. Add butter and honey to large microwaveable liquid measuring cup and microwave in 30-second increments until butter is melted and honey is runny.

  3. Add soy sauce, orange zest, 1/4 cup of the freshly squeezed orange juice, rice vinegar, ginger, and fresh minced garlic to the glass measuring cup with the honey-butter mixture and whisk until smooth.

  4. Pour sauce mixture over chicken in Instant Pot. Lock lid in place and cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. When time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then do a quick release.

  5. Remove chicken to a 9×13-inch baking dish leaving liquid in the pot. In a small bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and the remaining 1/4 cup fresh orange juice. Select the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the Instant Pot and heat until thickened, whisking to avoid lumps. Taste sauce and add salt and pepper to taste, if needed.

  6. Pour thickened sauce over chicken. Preheat broiler. Place baking dish with chicken and sauce directly under broiler and broil for 2-4 minutes chicken browns slightly (see note).

  7. Top chicken with sliced green onions to garnish and serve chicken with sauce over cooked rice with other steamed vegetables as desired.

Recipe Notes

1. Be sure to zest the oranges before juicing them. You will need about 2 med/large oranges for this recipe.

2. Make sure to use fresh garlic in this recipe (rather than refrigerated kind). It will really make a difference in the flavor.

3. The broiling step is optional, but I think it adds a nice color and caramelized flavor.